The Confucius Institute at Webster University was recently named “Confucius Institute
of the Year” by HANBAN, a branch of the Chinese Ministry of Education.

ST. LOUIS, Feb. 7, 2013 – Thanks to a long list of outreach activities – ranging from
teaching Chinese language and culture classes in 42 St. Louis-area K-12 schools, to
hosting two-week Chinese immersion trips each summer for local high school students,
to conducting workshops for employees of St. Louis companies that do business in China,
just to name a few – the Confucius Institute at Webster University was recently named
“Confucius Institute of the Year” by HANBAN, the Chinese Ministry of Education.

“The ‘Confucius Institute of the Year' award is a great honor for Webster University
and a reflection of our continued commitment to international education, not only
for our students, but also for the community at large,” said Deborah Pierce, who directs
Webster's Center for International Education and Confucius Institute. “To be selected
for this award out of more than 400 Confucius Institutes around the world is a testament
to the hard work and dedication of those who have worked in Webster's Confucius Institute
over the past five years and the support the Institute has received from the University
administration.”

The Confucius Institute at Webster University receives funding from HANBAN and is
sponsored by Beijing Language and Culture University (BLCU). Established in 2008,
it is part of an international network of Confucius Institutes in 66 countries worldwide.
Confucius Institutes are dedicated to promoting the understanding of Chinese language
and culture, and to fostering friendly relations between China and the world.

A Chinese New Year Celebration for 2013, Year of the Snake, on Tuesday, Feb. 12 from
noon to 2 p.m. at the University Center's Sunnen Lounge, 175 Edgar Rd. in Webster
Groves. The event, which is free and open to Webster students, faculty, staff and
the public, will feature Chinese food, entertainment, a Chinese New Year presentation
and activity tables.

Beginning on March 4, a 10-week Tai Chi class will be offered on Mondays from 4:30
p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and on Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., in the Emerson Library
Conference Room, 101 Edgar Rd. in Webster Groves.

An 11-week calligraphy class will be held on Thursdays from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. in room
117 of the Sverdrup building, 8300 Big Bend Blvd., beginning Feb. 28.

Both classes are free and open to Webster University students, faculty, staff and
the public. To register for either class, contact Emma Laheus at 314-246-2200 or email
confucius@webster.edu.